Day 22
Day 32
Day 42
Day 52
Week 9
Week 30

Index

Embryogenesis
at a
glance

Germ Layer
Derivatives

Signal transmission
in utero

Amnion
enblargement

Method for
measuring
the length
of fetus

Ultrasound
of human
embryo

Pregnant
uterus,
Week 5

Pregnant
uterus,
Week 8

Transfer
across
the placental
membrane

Chorionic villus

Chorionic
villus
sampling

Delivery

Placenta

Copyright © 1995 to the
"Frontiers in Bioscience"

DAY

PROMINENT FEATURES

CARNEGIE
STAGE

ORIENTATION

DRAWINGS

IMAGES

IMAGES

Follicular Development

Development of embryo during the first few days

-

Fertilization

Prenatal development

First two weeks

Development of embryo during the first two weeks

 1-6

Development of embryo during the first two weeks

14

Lacunar networks have developed

 6

Syncytiotrophoblast

Uterine cavity

Blastocyst

Conceptus

Embryo at Carnegie stage 6

18

Exposed by removing the amnion

 8

Oropharyngeal

Cloacal

Dorsal view

Folding of the neural plate, day 18

Embryonic disc

21

1-3 somites. Flat embryonic disc. Deep neural groove and prominent neural folds. One to three pairs of somites present. Head fold evident.

 9

Cranial

Caudal

Dorsal view

Folding of the neural plate, day 21

Folding of cranial end, day 21

22

4-12 somites. Embryo straight or slightly curved. Neural tube forming or formed opposite somites, but widely open at rostral and caudal neuropores. First and second pairs of branchial arches visible.

 10

Cranial

Caudal

Dorsal view

Folding of embryo, day 22

4th week somite, day 22

24

13-20 somites. Embryo curved owing to head and tail folds. Rostral neuropore closing. Otic placodes present. Optic vesicles formed.

 11

Cranial

Caudal

Dorsal view

Effect of the head fold, comparison images day 24 resp 26

4th week somite, comparison images of day 24, 26 resp 28

26

21-29 somites. Upper limb buds appear. Rostral neuropore closed. Caudal neuropore closing. Three pairs of branchial arches visible. Heart prominence distinct. Otic pits. present.

 12

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Folding of embryo, day 26

Folding of cranial end, day 26

28

30-35 somites. Embryo has C-shaped curve. Caudal neuropore closed. Upper limb buds are flipper-like. Four pairs of branchial arches visible. Lower limb buds appear. Otic vesicles present. Lens placodes distinct. Attenuated tail present.

 13

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Folding of embryo
Sections

Folding the caudal end, 4 th week

32

top

Upper limbs are paddle-shaped. Lens pits and nasal pits visible. Optic cups present.

 14

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Digital rays + Photograph of embryos

Lateral view

Craniofacial region, day 32

36

Hand plates formed; digital rays present. Lens visicles present. Nasal pits prominent. Lower limbs are paddle-shaped. Cervical sinuses visible.

15

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Digital rays + Photograph of embryos

Head transverse section

40

Foot plates formed. Pigment visible in retina. Auricular hillocks developing.

16

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

42

top

Digital rays clearly visible in hand plates. Auricular hillocks outline future auricle of external ear. Trunk beginning to straighten. Cerebral vesicles prominent.

17

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

44

Digital rays clearly visible in foot plates. Elbow region visible. Eyelids forming. Notches between the digital rays in the hands. Nipples visible.

18

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Digital rays, day 44

48

Limbs extend ventrally. Trunk elongating and straightening. Midgut herniation prominent.

19

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Digital rays, day 48

51

Upper limbs longer and bent at elbows. Fingers distinct but webbed. Notches between the digital rays in the feet. Scalp vascular plexus appears.

20

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

52

top

Hands and feet approach each other. Fingers are free and longer. Toes distinct but webbed. Stubby tail present.

21

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

54

Toes free and longer. Eyelids and auricles of external ears more developed.

22

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

56

Head more rounded and show huamn characteristics. External genitalia still have sexless appearance. Distinct bulge still present in umbilical cord, caused by herniation of intestines. Tail has dissappeared.

23

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Digital rays + Photograph of embryos

WEEK

top

PROMINENT FEATURES

DAY/MONTH

ORIENTATION

VIEW SORT

IMAGES

IMAGES

9

Growth in body length accelerates rapidly

 63/2

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Size of fetus, week 9

12

Mature fetal form is established

 84/3

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Size of fetus, week 12

20

Fetus covered with fine downy hair called lanugo

 140/5

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Size of fetus, week 20

30

top

The pupillary light reflex of the eyes can be elicited

 210/7.5

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Size of fetus, week 30

38

Chest is prominent and the breasts protrude slightly in both sexes

 266/9.5

Cranial

Caudal

Lateral view

Size of fetus, week 38